NEW DELHI, Aug 26: Terming pendency of cases a “huge challenge”, Chief Justice of India (CJI) N. V. Ramana on August 26 expressed regret for not being able to pay much attention to issues of listing and posting of matters for hearing in the Supreme Court.
The CJI, who is to demit office on Friday, said there is a need to deploy modern technology tools and artificial intelligence to find a solution.
“Even though we tried developing some modules, because of the compatibility and security issues, we could not make much progress,” Justice Ramana, who was heading the ceremonial Bench, said.
He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the priority was running of the courts and unlike commercial establishments, “we cannot secure the technological tools from the market directly”.
“We have to admit the fact that the pendency is a huge challenge before us. I must admit that issues of listing and posting of matters is one of the areas on which I could not pay much attention. I am sorry for that,” the CJI said, adding, “We are busy in fire-fighting on all days”.
Recently, senior advocate and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Dushyant Dave had said that the CJI should not have the power to assign and list cases and a fully automated system for allocation be put in place in the top court.
He had referred to the problems faced by young lawyers in getting their matters listed in the apex court. In his first farewell speech for the day, Justice Ramana said the needs of the judiciary were different from those of the rest.
He said unless the Bar was willing to extend its whole-hearted cooperation, it would be difficult to bring in necessary changes. “The juniors who entered the profession look up to the seniors as their role models. I request all the seniors to guide them to be on the right path,” he said.
The CJI said Indian judiciary has grown with time and it cannot be defined or judged by one single order or judgment.
He said unless the credibility of the institution is protected, being the officers of this court, one could not command respect from the people and the society.
“Let all of us march forward with the discussion and dialogue in the process of giving speedy and affordable justice to the common man,” he said.
The CJI said he was neither the first one nor he would be the last one to contribute towards the development of the institution. “People may come and go but the institution remains forever,” he said.
“I thank all my colleagues and all the members of the Bar for their active support and cooperation. I will certainly miss you all. Thank you,” Justice Ramana, who became the 48th CJI on April 24 last year, said.
Attorney General K. K. Venugopal said 224 vacancies in the High Court were filed up and over 100 members in the tribunals were appointed during the tenure of Justice Ramana as the CJI.
He termed the CJI’s achievements “remarkable”, and said the vacancies were filled up during his tenure and for the first time, the apex court had a full strength of 34 judges. “What is outstanding for the CJI is the persuasion with which he was able to clear appointments and vacancies,” Mr. Venugopal said.
“I wish well for this new era in your career and I have no doubt that it will be as fruitful and productive as the one which your lordship has just concluded on the bench of Supreme Court of India,” he said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta hailed the achievements of the CJI and said he has performed his duty as the ‘ karta’ of the legal fraternity, as he did for his biological family.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, who is also the president of the SCBA, said Justice Ramana’s retirement is a great loss for all. “The prestige of the institution has also been maintained and a clear signal has been given that this court means business and this court will uphold the Constitution and this court will ensure that the constitutional rights of the people will never be compromised,” he said.
Mr. Dave broke into tears while bidding adieu to the CJI, saying he maintained checks and balances between the judiciary, executive and Parliament, and did so “with a spine”.
While Mr. Dave described Ramana as a citizen’s judge, his colleague and senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the court will remember him for “maintaining balance even in turbulent times”.
“I speak on behalf of vast multitude of citizens of this country. You stood up for them. You upheld their rights and the Constitution. When you took over, I was sceptical of what the court had gone through. I must say, you excelled our expectations. You maintained checks and balances between judiciary, executive and Parliament. You did with a spine,” Mr. Dave said.
Mr. Sibal added that Mr. Ramana has also taken care of the family of judges. “When the sea is calm, the ship will sail. We are going through very turbulent times. It is difficult for the ship to sail.”
“This court will remember you for maintaining balance even in turbulent times. You have ensured that dignity and integrity of this court is maintained. That the government is called to answer,” Mr. Sibal said. (Agencies)

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and others on a batch plea filed by Ukraine students seeking permission to continue medical study in India.

A bench headed by justice Hemant Gupta issued notice on the plea and listed the matter in September. The plea was filed by evacuated students, who have sought the urgent indulgence of this court in light of the extraordinary situation which has presented itself in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war crisis which has gravely impeded their education. The unfortunate events in Ukraine have led to the evacuation of students and consequently, their education has inevitably come to a stand-still.

One of the petitions filed through advocate Ashwarya Sinha said that the education of about 14,000 evacuated Indian students has come to a complete halt as their careers stand to be irreparably jeopardized and their fundamental rights protected under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India have become illusory.

The advocate also said the evacuated students, including the petitioners herein, are going through immense mental hardship and agony since their entire career hangs in ambiguity and their education has virtually come to a standstill since February 2022, with no foreseeable restoration of peace in the war-torn country.

“The unfortunate situation which has transpired in the present case is that the petitioners are neither in a position to resume their education at their respective institutions in Ukraine nor permitted to continue their education at institutions in India under the present regulations,” the petition said.

Therefore, the petitioners have also sought to issue an appropriate direction under Section 45 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, upon the NMC to frame guidelines and SOPs for the migration of Indian medical students who have been evacuated from Ukraine to Indian Medical Colleges as a one-time measure in the equivalent academic year.

The petition also sought to issue direction upon the Centre to issue necessary directions under Section 46 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019; and an appropriate direction upon the respondents to provide adequate infrastructural/academic and financial support for the continuation of medical education of the evacuated Indian students from Ukraine.

The petition also sought to formulate guidelines by exercising jurisdiction conferred under Article 142 of the Constitution of India in light of the extraordinary situation on account of the ongoing war in Ukraine for protecting the interests of the evacuated students and their migration to Indian Medical Colleges.

Reacting to the resignation of senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad from all the positions of the party, Jairam Ramesh, AICC general secretary termed the resignation as “unfortunate”.

In a joint press conference held at party headquarters here, Ramesh and senior Congress leader and former minister Ajay Maken said, “We have read the letter of veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad that has been released to the media.”

“Ghulam Sahab is the senior Congress leader. Through Congress, he has held the most prestigious posts of Administration in various states. It is a misfortune for Congress as he left the party at a time when the whole congress is engaged in the issue to combat price rise, unemployment and polarisation under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi,” added Maken.

Maken further added, “We have organised a national rally against the price rise in Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi on 4th September, which will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi and on 7th September we have also organised ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ against rising fuel price, unemployment and polarization which is a direct fight against BJP.”

Congress is also scheduled to hold 22 press conferences on 29th August and 32 press conferences on 5th September across India, as said by congress leader.

Congress leader Jai Ram Ramesh said, “At a time when every congressman and congresswoman is involved in ensuring the ‘Mahengi pe Hala Bol’ rally and wants to walk along with Rahul Gandhi to walk the 3500 Km long Bharat Joda Yatra, it is most unfortunate that at this point in time we have to read this letter which has been released to press.” 

Earlier today, senior congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from all the posts of congress in a letter to Sonia Gandhi.